Tag: Chris Doering

Gators legend Chris Doering ‘all in’ on DJ Lagway

There’s a newfound sense of optimism surrounding the Florida Gators after watching DJ Lagway take over the offense, according to Gators legend Chris Doering.

Legendary Florida wide receiver [autotag]Chris Doering[/autotag] has been critical of the Florida Gators throughout the third year of the Billy Napier era in Gainesville, but a four-touchdown margin of victory against Kentucky in Week 8 has him rethinking things.

Specifically, Doering came away from the game impressed with true freshman [autotag]DJ Lagway[/autotag], who threw for 259 on seven completions. Lagway has a big arm and explosive legs, and he showed off both of those talents on Saturday. Although he ended the game with zero touchdown passes and one interception, six of his seven completion went for big yardage, often setting up a touchdown run for fellow true freshman Jadan Baugh.

“There are very few times in life where things live up to the hype, but I’m all in on DJ Lagway now,” Doering said on SEC This Morning. “I know he only completed seven passes, but watching his control of the offense, watching him run the ball early on, watching how cool, calm and collected he is, despite the chaos around him, has me feeling a little optimistic about this Florida team and has me optimistic about the future of the program.

“DJ Lagway is a star in the making, and I cannot wait to watch it unfold in front of my eyes.”

That’s some heavy praise from the former Gator and second-team All-American (1995), but it took some convincing for Doering to get there.

“I have been resistant to handing the keys of the offense at Florida to DJ Lagway,” he said. “I didn’t necessarily think it was in the best interest of the team to have a freshman out there in his first year in the SEC. There was no choice once Graham Mertz went down with the injury, it was DJ’s offense, and DJ, he has something about him.”

Of course, Doering knows a thing or two about good quarterback play in the Swamp. He famously reeled in “The Catch” from Heisman winner Danny Wuerffel to beat Kentucky in 1993 and is a member of the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame.

Since taking over the starting job, Lagway has earned near-universal praise from media types, but he’ll get a chance to show what he’s made of against Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss and Texas in the four weeks following the Gators’ second bye.

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Gators legend Chris Doering sees writing on wall for Billy Napier

Florida’s legendary wide receiver simply cannot see a path for Napier to finish the season on the sidelines, much less make it to October.

Things are not well in Gainesville following the Florida football program’s 1-2 start, punctuated by an embarrassing loss in the Swamp to the Texas A&M Aggies in Week 3.

Gators skipper [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] came into the 2024 campaign already on the hottest of head coach hot seats and his team’s overall futility over the first three games has his tenure in a moribund state. Reports came out on Sunday that the university’s boosters were ready to cut a check for his release, but nothing has come to fruition as of Monday afternoon.

Florida alumnus [autotag]Chris Doering[/autotag], who was a legend on the gridiron for the Orange and Blue during his tenure, came into the season with high hopes for his alma mater and voiced his support for Napier and Co. ahead of the opening kickoff.

However, he has changed his tune after watching the first 12 quarters of Florida’s fall campaign.

Chris Doering’s latest thoughts on Florida

Now serving as an analyst with the SEC Network, Doering was asked at the Knoxville Quarterback Club on Monday if he believed Napier would still be the coach in October when the Gators came to Knoxville to play the Tennessee Volunteers.

Doering wasted no time in his response: “I don’t think so.” He went on to elaborate on how he perceives the players and fans are handling this current misery.

“Apathy is worse than anger, and I feel like there’s apathy starting to set in a little bit in Gainesville, and so you have to eliminate that,” Doering noted. “I’ve talked to some of the folks in higher-up positions, and they have to decide whether or not things are repairable. And it doesn’t seem like that.”

Doering’s thoughts on Tennessee’s team

“I think what Tennessee has done is kind of the bar being set in the SEC,” Doering said.

“And it’s ironic, because at Florida now, I feel like we are where y’all were seven years ago, eight years ago. It’s a tough struggle right now, and tuning in every Saturday to watch your team be an embarrassment out there on the field is tough to watch.”

Up next for the Gators

Florida will play their first road game of the season as they travel up to Starkville to play against the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Saturday, Sept. 21. Kickoff is set for noon ET and will be broadcast on ESPN.

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SEC Network’s Chris Doering feels Texas A&M’s offense should improve under Mike Elko

SEC Network’s Chris Doering feels that a “physical” brand of offensive is heading back to College Station

Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko is set to speak on Thursday afternoon during this week’s SEC Media Days.

Still, before the final day of the annual event, TexAgs Radio host David Nũno sat down with SEC Network analyst Chris Doering, who, like a host of other media members this week, provided his opinion of new Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko.

Interestingly enough, current SEC head coaches have noted Elko’s successful career as a defensive coordinator, including a four-year stint with the Aggies, this week, referencing the difficulty of facing an Elko-led defense. However, Elko’s last two seasons as Duke’s head coach saw two consecutive bowl appearances while helping develop current Notre Dame starting quarterback Riley Leonard.

After inheriting a talented and experienced roster led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman, new offensive coordinator Collin Klein has plenty to work with. Klein and Elko both agree that a physical running game and officiant passing offense is the way toward prosperity.

Agreeing with this principle, Nũno phrased the question perfectly, noting that after opening the season vs. Notre Dame, Texas A&M will travel to Florida to attempt to win its first SEC road game since the 2020 season. Well, Doering, a fan of Elko’s background, feels that “physicality and a blue-collar mentality” should get the job done:

“Yeah, I’m really excited about this A&M team this season,” he stated. “You know, Coach Elko, having been there before, understands the culture. What he’s been able to do on defense, what he did at Duke, he brings a physical type of mentality that I think is going to fit this A&M team. You play away from Kyle Field, you got to play physical, and I think he’ll bring that.”

Doering further explained his excitement regarding Conner Weigman’s return to the lineup after missing the final eight games of the 2023 season:

“So excited that Conner Weigman is coming back, and it feels like a brand new start,” Doering stated. “You know he was gone so long last year; it feels like forever since we’ve seen him play. I’ve heard a lot of talk about him being a first-round quarterback in the Draft next spring, so I’m excited about what he can do in this offense.”

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Chris Doering thinks Florida’s pass protection needs some tweaking

SEC Now co-host and former Florida Gator Chris Doering says the Gators pass protection is a must-fix from the BYE week.

Florida football is coming off a much-needed bye week after taking down the South Carolina Gamecocks on the road in Week 7.

There was a lot for the team to adjust and the co-host of SEC Now and former Gator [autotag]Chris Doering[/autotag] says there’s one major flaw in head coach Billy Napier’s young squad.

Doering said the most surprising thing to change is the Florida offensive line, digressing in pass protection this season.

“It was a real strength last season,” Doering said. “This year, the past protection just has not been as good as what it needs to be. If the offense wants to push the ball down the field a little bit more, you have to protect. In fact, Florida has given up 19 sacks which is the fourth-most in the conference. Mertz is pressured on 34% of his dropbacks.

“So in an effort to be more successful throwing the ball down the field and protecting your quarterback,” he continued. “Florida, please work on that pass-pro this week now.”

Watch the full segment where Doering breaks down the other four programs that were on a bye week.

The Georgia Bulldogs average 5.1 tackles-for-loss per game and are usually able to collect two sacks weekly. The Gators allow around the same of sacks, ranking at No. 105 in the FBS for sacks allowed.

Doering has always been a Florida Gator at heart, even while broadcasting on live television. The former UF wide receiver takes every chance to be honest, critical, and mostly biased toward his alma mater.

He is best known for his go-ahead touchdown catch against Kentucky in 1993.

Kickoff between the Florida Gators and No. 1 Georgia is set for 3:30 p.m. EDT and will broadcast on CBS Sports.

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Florida’s quarterback appears on SEC Network, praises teammates

Florida Gators QB Graham Mertz appeared on “SEC This Morning” and took time time to praise his teammates for the team’s recent success.

The Florida Gators are on a bye week and riding a two-game win streak after surpassing the South Carolina Gamecocks last Saturday, giving the team some time to relax and make media appearances.

Quarterback [autotag]Graham Mertz[/autotag] was a guest on the television/radio show “SEC This Morning,” being interviewed by hosts Peter Burns and former Florida Gators wide receiver Chris Doering.

The trio discussed Mertz’s adaption after moving to Gainesville and the connection with senior wide receiver Ricky Pearsall. Mertz said he instantly felt comfortable when he and Pearsall stepped on the field for the first time.

“I mean, you gotta you got to put in the work and that’s one thing that I’ve appreciated a ton from (Pearsall) this entire this entire journey,” Mertz said. “He’s just been about the work every day getting extra catches, working through things that we may have missed in a practice to build that confidence.”

Mertz also said Pearsall and the rest of the Gators wide receivers have been workhorses in order to improve their technical skills on the field.

When asked about his feelings towards the Florida-Georgia rivalry, he explained how the Florida coaching staff educated the team on the historic rivalry and used his experience from the Big Ten.

“I’ve heard I’ve heard a lot of stories,” Mertz said. “And I think that for me,  playing in rivalries back at Wisconsin, you grow to have an appreciation for and understand what came before you.”

“From the start of fall camp and we had this rivalry one-on-one and we talked about each game (for) Tennessee, Florida State and then Georgia. I’ve gained an appreciation for all the people that have come before me in this game. I know what it means to the Florida fan base to the Florida family so I’m excited for it.”

Mertz, Pearsall and the rest Florida Gators will relax during the BYE week, before prepping for the battle with the almighty No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs. The showdown happens on Oct. 28.

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Gators legend says ‘The Swamp is back’

Florida Gators legend says it’s an exciting time to a fan of the football program after its upset over Tennessee.

“Tell all the rest of the Georgia bandwagon fans, the Gators are coming in late October.”

Former Florida Gators wide receiver and football analyst Chris Doering made an appearance on The Paul Finebaum show Friday afternoon. Doering pumped his chest and seemed to embody the phrase, “It’s great to be a Florida Gator.”

Coming off a monumental upset over the Tennessee Volunteers last Saturday, the Florida faithful feels back on top of the world. The defense is a force to be reckoned with and the running game has hit its stride.

“It’s a renewed kind of enthusiasm around this program because of the defense,” Doering said. “I thought Austin Armstrong did a great job of putting a plan together to attack Tennessee’s offense. There’s a lot of young players that are playing with a lot of energy and enthusiasm on that side of the ball. They did a great job of tackling in space.”

The Gators legend also held Graham Mertz in high regard.

“Graham Mertz has been the thing that I think I’m maybe most surprised about,” Doering said. “He’s done exactly what this coaching staff told us he was going to do and that’s come in be a great leader, be a great guy on the field in terms of getting them in and out of the right plays, and distributing the football.”

Watch Doering’s full tirade here.

The Florida Gators will rely on the home crowd again this week when the program hosts the Charlotte 49ers on Saturday at 7 p.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network+.

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Here’s when Florida football’s NFL Pro Day is scheduled

Florida has announced details of its annual Pro Day, with eleven Gators players expected to participate.

The road to the 2023 NFL draft continues for former Florida Gators football players, with the program announcing Monday that the annual pro day will be held on March 30, according to the University of Florida’s official website.

Eleven draft-eligible players from the 2022 Florida Gators football roster will participate in this year’s pro day, including projected first-round draft picks quarterback [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] and offensive lineman [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag]. Joining them will be linebacker [autotag]Amari Burney[/autotag], linebacker [autotag]Brenton Cox Jr[/autotag]., defensive tackle [autotag]Gervon Dexter Sr[/autotag]., safety [autotag]Trey Dean III[/autotag], offensive tackle [autotag]Richard Gouraige[/autotag], linebacker [autotag]Ventrell Miller[/autotag], wide receiver [autotag]Jordan Pouncey[/autotag], wide receiver [autotag]Justin Shorter[/autotag], and safety [autotag]Rashad Torrence II[/autotag].

Pro day events will include official weigh-ins, bench press, vertical jump, broad jump, 40-yard dash, 60-yard shuttle, and positional workouts. Among those in attendance will be NFL scouts, coaches, and general managers.

Coverage of pro day will take place from the Condron Family Indoor Practice Facility, with the event broadcast at 10 a.m. EDT on the SEC Network. Former Florida football player and current SEC Network analyst [autotag]Chris Doering[/autotag] will report live from Gainesville while Peter Burns, Jordan Reid and Matt Stinchcomb will be in-studio.

There will also be coverage on NFL+, the NFL’s streaming app, with the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and former NFL wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. reporting live from the indoor practice facility.

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Chris Doering announces top six teams following Tennessee-Vanderbilt game

Chris Doering announces top six college football teams following the Tennessee-Vanderbilt game.

No. 11 Tennessee (10-2, 6-2 SEC) defeated Vanderbilt (5-7, 2-6 SEC), 56-0, Saturday in Week 13 at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Southeastern Conference East division in-state contest is the regular-season finale for both teams.

Tennessee’s 2022 regular-season schedule features home games against Ball State (W, 59-10), Akron (W, 63-6), Florida (W, 38-33), Alabama (W, 52-49), UT Martin (W, 65-24), Kentucky (W, 44-6) and Missouri (W, 66-24).

The Vols’ 2022 schedule features road contests at Pittsburgh (W, 34-27 OT) in the second edition of the Johnny Majors Classic, LSU (W, 40-13), Georgia (L, 27-13), South Carolina (L, 63-38) and Vanderbilt (W, 56-0).

2022 Tennessee Vols’ football schedule: Vols Wire’s downloadable schedule wallpaper

Following Week 13 games, former Florida player Chris Doering announced his top six teams on SEC Network’s “SEC Football Final.” Doering’s top six teams are listed below.

Chris Doering announces top six teams following Tennessee-Missouri game

Chris Doering announces his top six college football teams following the Tennessee-Missouri game.

No. 5 Tennessee (9-1, 5-1 SEC) defeated Missouri (4-6, 2-5 SEC), 66-24, Saturday in Week 11.

Saturday’s contest was the Vols’ final home game during the 2022 season. Tennessee also celebrated senior day versus Missouri.

Tennessee’s 2022 regular-season schedule features home games against Ball State (W, 59-10), Akron (W, 63-6), Florida (W, 38-33), Alabama (W, 52-49), UT Martin (W, 65-24), Kentucky (W, 44-6) and Missouri (W, 66-24).

The Vols’ 2022 schedule features road contests at Pittsburgh (W, 34-27 OT) in the second edition of the Johnny Majors Classic, LSU (W, 40-13), Georgia (L, 27-13), South Carolina and Vanderbilt.

2022 Tennessee’s football schedule: Vols Wire’s downloadable schedule wallpaper

Following Week 11 games, Chris Doering announced his top six teams on SEC Network’s “SEC Football Final.” Doering’s top six teams are listed below.

Chris Doering announces top six teams following Tennessee-Georgia game

Chris Doering announces top six teams following the Tennessee-Georgia football game.

No. 3 Tennessee (8-1, 4-1 SEC) played at No. 1 Georgia (9-0, 6-0 SEC) Saturday in Week 10.

Rankings reflect the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll.

The Vols are No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings, while Georgia is No. 3.

Georgia defeated the Vols, 27-13, at Sanford Stadium.

Tennessee’s 2022 regular-season schedule features home games against Ball State (W, 59-10), Akron (W, 63-6), Florida (W, 38-33), Alabama (W, 52-49), UT Martin (W, 65-24), Kentucky (W, 44-6) and Missouri.

The Vols’ 2022 schedule features road contests at Pittsburgh (W, 34-27 OT) in the second edition of the Johnny Majors Classic, LSU (W, 40-13), Georgia (L, 27-13), South Carolina and Vanderbilt.

Following Week 10 games, Chris Doering announced his top six teams on SEC Network’s “SEC Football Final.” Doering’s top six teams are listed below.